UConn’s overtime win over Villanova on Saturday had all the drama you’d expect from a top-tier Big East clash - highlight-reel plays, momentum swings, and a raucous finish. But amid the celebration, the Huskies were hit with a gut punch: standout freshman Braylon Mullins exited in the second half with what appeared to be a head injury and didn’t return.
The moment was hard to miss. After a chaotic sequence early in the second half, Mullins was visibly shaken.
He struggled with his balance and had to be helped to the locker room by UConn staff. Postgame, head coach Dan Hurley confirmed what many suspected - Mullins is now in concussion protocol.
“With Braylon, he obviously goes into concussion protocol,” Hurley said. “We’ll see where things go from there. We’ll take good care of him, like we did with Alec Millender when he dealt with it in practice.”
That reference to Millender is telling. The IU Indy transfer had missed UConn’s last two games after taking an inadvertent elbow during practice.
He was officially cleared and removed from the injury report ahead of Saturday’s tip-off, so the Huskies have recent experience managing this type of situation. Still, losing Mullins - even temporarily - is a significant blow.
The injury came during a stretch that perfectly encapsulated Mullins’ game: a mix of youthful mistakes and undeniable playmaking. It started with a turnover - an errant entry pass from the left wing that gave the ball back to Villanova.
But Mullins didn’t hang his head. On the very next play, he hustled back, poked the ball away from fellow freshman Acaden Lewis, and forced a turnover of his own as the ball bounced off Lewis’ leg and out of bounds.
Unfortunately, it was during that steal attempt that things took a turn. As Mullins reached in, Lewis’ off-arm caught him on the left side of the head.
Mullins immediately grabbed his face and went down hard in the backcourt. Trainers rushed over, and after a brief evaluation, he was taken to the locker room.
He didn’t return to the game but did come back to the bench later in warmup gear, watching the final minutes from the sideline.
For Mullins, this is the latest hurdle in what’s already been an injury-interrupted freshman campaign. He missed the first six games of the season due to a preseason ankle injury.
Since making his debut on November 28 against Illinois, Hurley has brought him along carefully, gradually increasing his minutes before inserting him into the starting lineup. Mullins has now started UConn’s last 11 games - a testament to how quickly he’s earned the staff’s trust.
And it’s not just about minutes. Mullins has been producing.
Just before the injury, he tied the game with a tough, contested three coming off a curl - a shot that showcased both his shooting touch and his confidence. That make extended his streak to 10 straight games with at least one three-pointer.
In Big East play, no Husky has hit more threes than Mullins, and he’s doing it efficiently, knocking them down at nearly a 40% clip.
That shooting has become a key weapon for UConn’s offense, especially as the team looks to space the floor and create driving lanes. Mullins’ ability to stretch the defense and hit shots under pressure has been a major asset - not just for a freshman, but for anyone in this conference.
So while Saturday’s win will go down as another gritty, character-building performance for the Huskies, it also raises questions about what’s next. Concussion protocol timelines can vary, and UConn will be cautious - as they should be - with a player who’s already battled through injuries this season.
For now, the Huskies will hope for good news on Mullins’ recovery. Because if he’s healthy, there’s no question: he’s a difference-maker.